Steven Soderbergh, best known for his OCEAN’S ELEVEN films, TRAFFIC, and SEX, LIES, & VIDEOTAPE, went into semi-retirement three years ago. It wasn’t a total farewell to Hollywood. Soderbergh claimed he was done directing feature films, specifically. He’d still be around to produce, be a cinematographer, or possibly direct for television, but- for all intents and purposes- his time sitting in the director’s chair for a major motion picture was over.

Yeah, about that..

He’s back.

According to Variety, Soderbergh read the script for the upcoming Channing Tatum vehicle LUCKY LOGAN and simply fell in love with it. Between loving the script, and having a great working relationship with Tatum, he’s reportedly ready to come out of retirement so that he can direct this film. The pair has previously worked together as actor and director for HAYWIRE, SIDE EFFECTS, and MAGIC MIKE.

“That’s great, Channing. Now put the lotion in the basket…”

The cast for LUCKY LOGAN (which may actually be titled LOGAN LUCKY, as there have been conflicting reports) would apparently also include Michael Shannon. Earlier versions of this rumor also claimed Matt Damon would be involved, but that seems to have been totally wrong, as was the initially-reported title of HILLBILLY HEIST.

I, for one, am glad that Soderbergh is still willing to direct. He directed a few of my favorite films growing up, and one- in particular- that I can’t recommend enough. It’s one that rarely ever gets mentioned, because he soon blew up into the mainstream with the first OCEAN’S ELEVEN and this one was like a dress rehearsal for that, but the Soderbergh film that made me a fan was OUT OF SIGHT. It has George Clooney in a role that’s a rougher, more awkward sketch of his Danny Ocean. It’s got Jennifer Lopez, in the only performance of hers that I’ve ever liked. A great script based on an Elmore Leonard story. It’s got an awesome supporting cast that includes Albert Brooks, Ving Rhames, Steve Zahn, Don Cheadle, and a hilarious cameo by Michael freakin’ Keaton where he reprises his role from Quentin Tarantino’s JACKIE BROWN (which was also based on an Elmore Leonard story).

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